Dynamic Bodyuse for Effective, Strain-Free Massage

Book excerpt: The most significant cause of early retirement from the massage profession is the cumulative strain on the body developed in the course of performing the work. The explosive growth of this occupation in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of work-induced problems. Practitioners can easily strain their hands, particularly their thumbs, fingers, and wrists, as well as their shoulders and backs. Written by noted teacher and trainer Darien Pritchard, this useful book explains those aspects of massage that can lead to these problems and shows how to apply pressure in ways that avoid them. The focus is on how to use the body safely and effectively. The author explores the benefits of involving the whole body to generate the power and movement that support the hands, saving the hands by using them skillfully, and conserving them by using other body areas such as the forearms and elbow whenever possible. Featuring 2,000 illustrations, Dynamic Bodyuse for Effective, Strain-Free Massage is essential reading for anyone involved in massage, whether a student, a professional massage practitioner or teacher, sports massage therapist, or aromatherapist.